Inquiry and Process Skill Development

Question 1

Science as Practice:

Answer 1

A way to become more proficient in science.

Question 2

Four Strands of Science:

Answer 2

• Strand 1: Know, use, and interpret scientific explanations of the natural world.
• Strand 2: Generate and evaluate scientific evidence and explanations.
• Strand 3: Understand the nature and development of scientific knowledge.
• Strand 4: Participate productively in scientific practices and discourse.

Question 3

Masterpiece of Science Proficiency:

Answer 3

A literate citizen who understands and values science

Question 4

Science as Practice:

Answer 4

When you do a particular thing (In this case science), often regularly, in order to improve your skill at it.

Question 5

National Science Education Standards:

Answer 5

• Scientific investigations involve asking and answering a question and comparing the answer with what scientists already know about the world.
• Scientists use different kinds of investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer. Types of investigations include describing objects, events, and organisms; classifying them; and doing a fair test (experimenting).
• Simple instruments, such as magnifiers, thermometers, and rulers, provide more information than scientists obtain using only their senses.
• Scientists develop explanations using observations (evidence) and what they already know about the world (scientific knowledge). Good explanations are based on evidence from investigations.
• Scientists make the results of their investigations public; they describe the investigations in ways that enable others to repeat the investigations.
• Scientists review and ask questions about the results of other scientists’ work.

Question 6

Observation:

Answer 6

The process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time.

Question 7

Classification:

Answer 7

Constructing an order based on similarities and differences between objects or events.

Question 8

Measurement:

Answer 8

The specific determination of the length, mass, volume, speed, time, or other property of an object or event.

Question 9

Mass:

Answer 9

The amount of material, or matter, that makes up an object.

Question 10

Weight:

Answer 10

The gravitational force that pulls the mass.

Question 11

Metric System Prefixes:

Answer 11

• Milli-: one-thousandth (0.001)
• Centi-: one-hundredth (0.01)
• Kilo-: one thousand (1000)

Question 12

Communication:

Answer 12

The sharing of information through written or spoken means such as an oral report, charts, graphs, reports, and publications.

Question 13

Operationally:

Answer 13

A subprocess of communicating, usually introduced after the primary grades.

Question 14

Scientific Recording:

Answer 14

Another subprocess of communicating that requires time to gather scientific data.

Question 15

Inference Inquiry:

Answer 15

The reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation.

Question 16

Inference:

Answer 16

An explanation of an observation based on the available information.

Question 17

Predicting:

Answer 17

A forecast or estimate of a future observation based on inferences from the available data.

Question 18

Experimentation:

Answer 18

Finding a conclusion to a hypothesis through the integration of all of the scientific skills.

Question 19

Hypothesize:

Answer 19

To suggest a possible explanation that has not yet been proved to be true.

Question 20

Concrete Materials:

Answer 20

Provides the background that most children need to construct new concepts.